CHAPTER II 

 THE FLY-ROD FOR TROUT FISHING 



THE Eastern brook trout, except upon rare oc- 

 casions and in exceptional localities, is not to 

 be taken save through the exercise of con- 

 siderable skill on the part of the angler. Generally 

 speaking, the factors which make a consistently success- 

 ful angler, one who usually makes a pretty good show- 

 ing except when the conditions of wind, weather and 

 water are collectively or severally against him, are 

 knowledge of the habits of the game-fish sought, pa- 

 tience, good fishing tackle, and a thorough knowledge 

 of how to use it. In no form of angling are these 

 things more essential than in fly-fishing for the speckled 

 trout. 



The acquirement of the natural history of game- 

 fish, the possession and exercise of care and patience, 

 and the ability to handle tackle skilfully are, more or 

 less, matters of the personal equation, supplemented, in 

 the case of tackle-handling, by intelligent and faithful 

 practice. Good fishing tackle is a matter of dollars and 

 cents, and, naturally, a knowledge of what is good 

 tackle and what is not is necessary in its selection. In 



18 



